Grand Theft Auto IV in Game Informer

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By Robert 'Apache' Howarth

TeamXbox gleaned some GTA IV details from the latest issue of Game Informer. Don't worry, no scans were harmed in the making of this story.

Playing as Niko, you come to America, help your cousin and subsequently become a name in the underground ghettos. Rockstar let slip in the preview that, although your character's main purpose will be to help Roman, his past will haunt him later in the game. This could definitely mark the difference between the downloadable episodes that are exclusive to each console.

Game Informer got to preview the game on an Xbox 360 XeDK unit, which comes as a total surprise for a game that has been traditionally associated with the PlayStation platform. During the demo, the game's new physics system and animations were shown off. For example, the demo had Bellic breaking a car's window, which smashed into pieces that fell to the street and into the car's seat. Another part of the demo showed how Bellic's walk changed depending on the terrain he was crossing.

Another highlighted feature was the game's impressive lighting system. Rockstar has put special emphasis on replicating the nighttime changes to "the city that never sleeps.". There will be different gameplay experiences depending on where you are and the time of the day. Ultimately, Rockstar aims to capture the diversity that comes from New York's cosmopolitan nature.

They also reveal a multiplayer mode, but don't have any specific details on it yet.